ISL 2018-19: Best XI from the Indian Super League - November

The Indian Super League (ISL) is going into its second break due to the FIFA international matches window. The 34 matches held so far have been nothing but exciting, and those games have provided the viewers enough drama to get them hooked to the league.

Terrific goal finishes, poor quality refereeing, red cards and handballs have drawn fans to discuss about Indian football at length these days.

FC Goa currently lead the table with 16 points from seven matches. Bengaluru FC are second with 13 points from five matches and could surpass FC Goa when the ISL resumes after the international break.

Mumbai City FC have 13 points from 7 matches, while Jamshedpur, NorthEast United FC, and ATK are the mid-table teams right now. Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC, Delhi Dynamos FC, and FC Pune City have not really impressed this ISL and form the bottom-four teams in the table.

Five players from SK's initial list of Best XI, made just before the India vs China friendly on Oct 13, have retained their places in this list.

But many others like Ferran Corominas and Mario Arques have lit up the stage over the last month to earn themselves a spot on this list.

(A simple 4-3-3 formation has been used to compile this XI, where the number of foreigners has been restricted to five)

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#1 Goalkeeper

Amrinder Singh making a save against North East United FC

Amrinder Singh (Mumbai City FC):

Amrinder Singh has had three clean sheets in six matches. He also did have 18 saves from 6 matches. His composure in front of the goal is something that the young goalkeepers need to learn.

It is interesting to note that Amrinder had a great ISL season in 2017-18 with 55 saves. It looks like Amrinder is all set to have another great season as goalkeeper for Mumbai City FC with a 75% Saves Percentage in the 2018-19 season.

Amrinder Singh, with better Saves percentage, climbs above Francisco Dorronsoro to be the goalkeeper of our best ISL XI so far.

Honorable Mention: Francisco Dorronsoro (Delhi Dynamos FC)

#2 Defence

Tiri has been solid at the back and has even scored for Jamshedpur FC (Image: ISL)

Tiri (Jamshedpur FC):

Tiri has been the wall for Jamshedpur FC with as many as 62 clearances, 13 interceptions, 16 tackles, and 9 blocks. He has also supported the team in need by scoring a goal against Delhi Dynamos FC.

Lucian Goan (Mumbai City FC):

Lucian Goan has been the rock-solid defender as always in the first phase of ISL 2018-19. He has 32 tackles, 7 interceptions,54 clearances and 16 blocks in the first 7 matches and walks into our best Eleven players with his swagger.

Sauvik Chakrabarti (Mumbai City FC):

Sauvik Chakrabarti has stood out from other Indian players in terms of his defensive capabilities. He has 45 clearances, 28 tackles, 14 interceptions and 14 blocks to his name in the first phase of ISL 2018-19 season.

Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC):

Rahul Bheke has had a soothing effect on the Bengaluru defence with him being diligent and up to the mark against opponents. He has 15 tackles, 12 interceptions,30 clearances and 7 blocks to his name in the first 5 matches for Bengaluru FC.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Narayan Das (Delhi Dynamos FC)

2. Seriton Fernandes (FC Goa)

#3 Midfield

Jackichand Singh has found the back of the net on two occasions for FC Goa (Image: ISL)

Jackichand Singh (FC Goa):

Jackichand Singh has found the free-flowing game of FC Goa much to his liking with him being able to produce terrific runs through the wings. He has scored 2 goals in the 7 matches and has been one of the best Indian attacking midfielders in the ISL 2018-19 season.

Mario Arques (Jamshedpur FC):

Mario Arques has brought the Spanish flavour to the ISL with much ease. He has 25 tackles, 12 interceptions, 6 clearances and 8 blocks in 7 matches of ISL 2018-19 and has bossed the midfield of Jamshedpur FC with proficiency.

With a passing accuracy of 84.3 %, Mario Arques is on the top of the list of the best midfielders in our combined Best XI.

Rowllin Borges (NorthEast United FC):

After a poor 2017/18 season, Rowllin Borges has found his touch for NorthEast United under coach Eelco Schattorie. In six appearances, he has made made 348 passes, 9 interceptions, 23 tackles, 8 clearances and 7 blocks for NEUFC. An influential defensive midfielder for club and country, the 26-year-old also has two goals to his credit this season.

His passing accuracy of 83.9 per cent sees him make our list of Best XI.

Honourable Mentions:

1. Erik Paartalu (Bengaluru FC)

2. Raphael Augusto (Chennaiyin FC)

3. Paulo Machado (Mumbai City FC)

4. Ahmed Jahouh (FC Goa)

#4 Attack

Ferran Corominas of FC Goa is leading the Golden Boot race (Image: ISL)

Bartholomew Ogbeche (North East United FC):

Bartholomew Ogbeche has 6 goals from the 6 matches that he has played. The former PSG striker has been in good form of late in the ISL and has been instrumental in North East United FC finding themselves in a pretty good position after 6 matches.

He also has 8 Shots on target in the 6 matches and is sure to lead the way in the future matches for North East United FC.

Ferran Corominas (FC Goa):

Eight goals in Six matches - That is exactly what Coro brings to the table for FC Goa. The golden boot winner last year is presently facing stiff competition from NorthEast United forward Ogbeche and their rivalry will be a wonderful event to witness in the future matches of ISL.

He also has 10 Shots on target and 4 assists to his name in the 6 matches and is the pivotal striker for FC Goa.

Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC):

Sunil Chhetri is the leading Indian striker with 4 goals to his name in 5 matches. He also has 7 shots on target and has by far given justice to his name and fame as the best striker India has. He comes into our Combined Best XI of ISL 2018-19 with his stable performances.

Honourable Mentions:

1. Miku (Bengaluru FC)

2. Sergio Cidoncha (Jamshedpur FC)

Anyone missing from our XI? Let us know in the comments.